Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission
11.3.2021
The Commission is aware of the challenges created by the decision of the Chinese authorities to ban the import of solid waste in line with their 2017 policy to restrict such imports.
The Commission made it clear in the Green Deal[1] that the EU should take greater responsibility for its waste and stop exporting it. The Commission is planning a comprehensive review of the EU waste shipments rules in 2021[2], which will take account of the global context and the Green Deal objectives.
Processing waste in the EU represents important opportunities for the transition to a circular economy in Europe, it is needed to attain the ambitious EU waste legislation targets[3] and requires investments in waste infrastructure and facilities in Member States.
As set out in the new Circular Economy Action Plan[4], the Commission will harness the potential of EU financing instruments to support investments for the transition to a circular economy. This includes funding available under the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2021-2027[5].
In addition, the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF )[6] can support modernising waste management systems . This includes innovative and advanced solutions for separate collection, sorting, reuse and recycling , as well as fostering the development and adoption of circular economy innovations.
The Commission is encouraging Member States to support reforms and investment accelerating the transition to the circular economy as part of their recovery and resilience plans.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en
- [2] For more information on this review: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/shipments/review_of_the_wsr.htm
- [3] E.g. Directive (EU) 2018/851 amending Directive 2008/98/EC on waste, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 109 and Directive (EU) 2018/850 amending Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste, OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 100.
- [4] https://ec.europa.eu/environment/circular-economy/
- [5] https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/eu-budget/long-term-eu-budget/2021-2027_en
- [6] which is the key instrument at the heart of the EUR 750 billion NextGenerationEU, https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/recovery-coronavirus/recovery-and-resilience-facility_en